Imperious Leinster ease into Champions Cup final

Rampant Leinster marched into the European Champions Cup final with a clinical 38-16 victory over the Scarlets at a sun-drenched Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Leo Cullen’s side overpowered their Pro14 rivals, scoring five tries in an imperious performance to set up a showdown with either Racing 92 or Munster in Bilbao on May 12.

The three-time European champions maintained their unbeaten record in the competition in ruthless fashion, James Ryan, Cian Healy and Fergus McFadden going over for first-half tries in Dublin.

Leinster were relentless, the outstanding Scott Fardy and Jonathan Sexton adding further tries in the second half as the Scarlets were unable to contain the favourites, missing out on a first European final.

Sexton scored 13 points from the tee and three first-half penalties from Leigh Halfpenny were all Wayne Pivac’s men could come up with before Tadhg Beirne scored their solitary try right at the end.

FULL-TIME! WE’RE GOING TO BILBAO! #LEIvSCA pic.twitter.com/Gi9Mc2hvl5

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) April 21, 2018

The Scarlets took an early lead when Halfpenny nailed a penalty from around 45 metres out, but they were soon behind when Leinster produced a brilliant move for the opening try.

Rhys Patchell produced a great last-ditch tackle to prevent Isa Nacewa from going over in the corner after Leinster had moved the ball swiftly from left to right following a lineout, but Ryan powered his way across the line.

Sexton converted and added a penalty as the Scarlets came under immense pressure before Halfpenny made it two from two at the other end.

It was only a matter of time before Leinster crossed the whitewash for a second time, though, and it was Healy who dived over after the persistent home side had gone through phase after phase.

Halfpenny was on target with a third penalty, but Leinster were rampant and McFadden was left with a simple finish following wave after wave of powerful carries, Sexton adding the extras to make it 24-9 at the break.

McFadden was unable to return for the second half due to an injury suffered while applying the finish, but Leinster continued where they left off following the interval, the excellent Fardy diving over following a give-and-go with Ryan.

Leinster showed no mercy on the Welsh side, Sexton taking a pass from Jamison Gibson-Park and creating space for himself with a side-step before darting through a gap to score his side’s fifth try and making no mistake with the conversion.

Beirne burst through for a consolation try late on against his former club, but the Leinster supporters had long since started celebrating a trip to Spain as they stand on brink of being crowned European champions for the first time in six years.

KEO.co.za News wire is powered by opta